Newtowncunningham native Hilary Roulston has compiled compelling stories of Donegal people in World War One to launch a new book this week.

‘Laggan Lads’ will be launched  by local historian Hilary Roulston on Friday 17 November at 7.30pm in Donegal County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny.

“Laggan Lads” is a collection of stories and poems inspired by the men and women of East Donegal who took part in the First World War.

Hilary wrote the book after researching the First World War Laggan connections for over 20 years.

“I wrote this book to tell the stories from the perspective of a number of those men and women who volunteered from County Donegal and in particular from the Laggan Valley in East Donegal. I was inspired, indeed I felt I had to, write this book and collection of poems in their memory,” Hilary said.

The author’s grandfather Sgt Robert Roulston, 11th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers returned home from the war and his story is one of those recounted in this book.

The letters of Sgt William Macbeth, Ballindrait, 11th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers are being published for the first time, giving a valuable insight into his experiences on the Western Front before he was killed at the Battle of the Somme, 1st July 1916.

The Laggan area is generally accepted to lie between Letterkenny and Derry, across to Stranorlar and on to Lifford and then to Derry, following the Rivers Finn and Foyle.

The book will be launched by Col (Rtd) Declan O’Carroll and there will be a short talk by Richard Doherty, Military Historian.

All are welcome to the launch. Books will be available to purchase on the night.

 

RSVP to Donegal County Museum, High Road, Letterkenny, Co Donegal.

T 074 9124613 E museum@donegalcoco.ie